"Hey do you know what is up with James lately?" I ask, putting on the ornate white mask that James had hand selected for me.
"Who knows." Crowley grumbled, examining his full faced black mack with intricate carvings of red etched into it. " I thought you would be used to his exotic ways by now."
"But he is late..he is never late...that's your thing!" I say exasperated.
"Don't get you knickers in a twist, he will be here- speak of the devil.."
I spin around to see James adorned in a suit, like the rest of us, but also his gold mask. He was holding a large box "Sorry I'm late! I was picking up these babies" he chuckles and drops the box in front of us.
"And what exactly is..that?" I hesitate, not exactly sure if I want to know.
"Uh.. band merch DUH" James opened the box and showed its contents.
'ABSENT SOULS' was printed on the front along with the symbol that was on my chest. The name was a was a collaborative piece, one that crowley actually could agree on and James could trademark...so that is what we became.
"James… No one has even heard of us yet, you think they are going to want a shirt?"
"Dean please, after they hear us, both boxes will be sold out.." he snaps his fingers "like that."
I look at him horrified "There is another box!?" I groan " James you are crazy!"
"Yeah, it's in the car, which we should be in too! we gotta gig boys, and we are going to rock their faces off !"
Crowley sighed sighed, mumbling something about how car transportation was inconvenient, but James elbowed him harshly in the side.
"Do we have everything?" I straighten out my suit , hoping that this will go as well as James thinks it will. How can he be so confident?
"Yep! to the car!" James rushes out, leaving Crowley and I to follow behind.
The stage was outdoors, and you could hear base from down the road, at least I knew we were heading in the right direction. "are you sure about these masks James? I look ridiculous!" I was in full panic mode at this point, trying to find a way to weasel my way out of the whole thing.
"I am positive, nothing gains more interest than a mystery Dean-o. We will be the talk of the festival just you wait!" I sigh and watch as we park on the grass, knowing that James would not let me escape, not after getting this far. "Everyone grab your gear, we are heading out. Dean, make sure your mask is on nice and snug, don't want it falling off."
I fasten the mask to my face. It was not a full faced mask like Crowley's or James' It covered my eyes and hooked almost like a crescent, leaving the right side of my mouth visible. This is most likely so my voice isn't muffled, though sometimes I wish it was. I stepped out of the car and grabbed my guitar. I felt the heavy bass resonate in my chest like a second heartbeat. People gave me questioning looks, making it hard to look anywhere but the ground in front of me. It seemed more impending now, lambs to slaughter...that is what is going to happen. How could James be so confident?
"Dean...DEAN!" there was a sharp jab in my side, causing me to wince and look up.
"OW! What the hell James!?"
"Quit staring at your feet. You need to be confident!"
"We look stupid, That is hard to do."
"We look fucking awesome and you know it!"
"Will you two stop squabbling like a bunch of idiots. It is MORE annoying than hell" Crowley cuts in, smacking the back of James' head.
"OW! why didn't you slap Dean too!?" James protests, kicking Crowley in the shin. "I was just trying to lighten the mood! Don't be such a dick Crowley."
I chuckle, loosening up a bit. I don't know, it felt like those two planned on lightening up the air. An odd alliance. Maybe I should be worried.
James looks up at me and smiles, putting crowley in an arm lock "Don't mind this black hearted man Dean, I will keep him in line" he chuckles a bit before Crowley elbowed him in the stomach. "Hey we better get moving! We are coming up soon!"
"God save us all." I mutter
"God has nothing to do with this." James laughs as if it were an inside joke, crowley rolling his eyes.
"Let's just get this over with."
We all make our way up the steps and onto the stage. A sea of confused and curious faces, the hum of brief silence before the introduction commenced.
"AND NOW ON STAGE WE HAVE A NEW BAND!" The voice echoed through the crowd, the vibrations from the speaker resonating in my chest. "GIVE IT UP FOR ABSENT SOULS!"
It's showtime.
